Images(3)

Tall case clock

Datec.1770

Artist/Maker William Webster

OriginEngland, London

MediumMahogany, oak, deal, brass, iron, steel, lead, and glass

DimensionsOH: 102"; W: 20"; D: 9 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1954-1006,A&B

DescriptionAppearance:
Case: bonnet with reversed arch or "pyrimidical" top surmounted by a short plinth flanked by scrolled wings, tympanum inset with scrolled fret echoing the shape of the top backed by green silk and flanked by two integrated plinths, three gilded ball finials on plinths; arched glazed hood door flanked by brass stop-fluted columns with brass capitals and bases, quarter columns of the same at rear of hood between hood sides and side extensions of back; rectangular glazed lights on hood sides; wide cove molding under hood; arched top trunk door with molded edges; wide coved waist molding; base with rectangular panel with inset corners and molded edges; stepped base molding and base.

Dial:
One piece brass arched dial measuring 16 ½” H x 12 1/8” W with matted center and six applied, cast spandrels. Silvered chapter ring with Roman hours and Arabic minutes. Silvered strike silent dial in arch. Silvered Arabic seconds ring at 12 o'clock, silvered Arabic day-of-month aperture at 6 o'clock below maker's name plate engraved "Wm Webster/ Exchange Alley/ LONDON". Serpentine steel hands.

Movement description:
Highly polished eight-day brass time, strike, and calendar weight-driven movement measuring 7 5/16” H x 5 3/16” W. Plate thickness is 0.140” and clearance between front and back plates is 2.28”. Clock has a dead beat escapement regulated by a seconds beat pendulum. A rack-and-snail strike sounds the hours on a 4.4” diameter cast bell.

Five brass pillars are riveted into the back plate and pinned at the front plate. The movement is fastened to the seat board by steel screws that are threaded into the bottom pillars. The brass time and strike barrels are grooved for the weight cords. The time mainwheel is 0.140” thick. All time and strike train wheels have four-arm crossings. The conventional motion work is uncrossed. The round steel crutch-rod has a closed-end fork. The pendulum bridge base is a butterfly shape. It is fastened to the back plate with two screws and two locator pins. The bell stand is screwed to the outside of the back plate under the pendulum bridge. The strike hammer head is a brass teardrop.

There are standard cast-brass pulleys with riveted brass stirrups. The overall length of the pendulum is 43”. The pendulum rod is steel. The bob is lead with a brass face. It is 4.7” diameter and 1.1” thick at its center. Brass-cased cylindrical lead weights.
Label TextBy the mid-18th century, arched brass dials had superceded square dials in popularity, likely because they. provided space for a variety of extra ornaments and dials. William Webster installed a “Strike/Silent” dial flanked by decorative spandrels in the arched portion of this London clock. This feature allowed the owner to choose whether the clock would strike the hour (chime) or not.

Mahogany was the primary wood of choice for elegant furniture during the mid to late 18th century both in Britain and America. This replaced the ornamental burl walnut fashionable earlier in the century as seen on the Graham clock (1954-936).

The shape of the clock’s hood illustrates another style evolution. The “pyramidical” shaped top was one option popular during the late 18th century. The form provides space for the delicate pierced fretwork in the center of the pediment. Backed only by cloth, this pierced fret allowed the clock’s chimes to be heard more distinctly.
MarkingsMaker's name plate on dial engraved "Wm Webster,/ Exchange Alley/ LONDON".

Exhibition(s)